Rope-gripping device



1 64 A. J. M. BARTHELEMY, on" P. CAMS ROPE GRIP-PING DEVICE Filed may 9. 1921 Fig.1. Fig.2.

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Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

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ANTOINE JOSEPH MARIUSBARTHELEMY DIT PAUL CANS, 01F- IARI FRANCE.

ROPE-GRIPPING DEVICE.

Application filed May 9, 1921. Scriafl No. 468,118.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, .ANToiNn Joscrn MAPJUS BARTi-IFZLEMY DIT PAUL CANS, citizen of the Republic of France, resident of Paris, France (post-oflice address 13 Rue Ernest Lefevre), have invented a new anduseful Rope-Gripping Device; which improvements are fully set fort-h in the following specification.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device which will; enable one to climb or descend a straight length of plain rope with ease and rapidity and with perfect security and safety. Another object is to provide a device of this character by means of which the user may if he so desiresremain suspended in a position of rest at any part of the length. of the rope.

Another object is to provide a rope clin'ibing device which may be used in. connection with an ordinary length of plain rope, such as are in common use for various purposes as handling or hauling casks,'barrels, etc. or for rigging purposes, Without necessitating any special changes in the rope such as would prevent the further use of the rope for its usual purposes.

Another object is to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple and sturdy in construction, which will readily support any weight which the tensile strength of the rope itself will support, which because of its simplicity can be manufactured and sold at a low priceand will not because of its simplicity and sturdiness become easily broken or require frequent repairs.

For the accomplisliment of these and such further objects as will hereinafter be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this appertains, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown a preferred embodi ment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and moditiations may be resorted to which fall. within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specilication: s I

Fig. 1 is a side view showing one ofthe units of my improved device and showing the characteristics of the principle of con struction involved, themovable memberbea ing in its inoperative position. F 1g. 2 IS a similar view showlng the movable member in operative or rope gripping held in spaced. relation and are connected preferably by a pair of rigid links C be tween the inner faces of which is freely pivoted a ring D of similar size tothe rings A. and B, and: preferably spaced centrally between the rings A and B. Extending laterally from the ring D is a lever. E which is intendedto.support the load. The weight of the lever E will normally cause the central ring D to swing on its pivots into a position inclined to the horizontal and out of parallelism with the rings A and; B to the position shown in Fig. 2, causing the rope to assume a substantially Sf shaped; bend between the rings A and B with the periphery of the rope pressed firmly against the edges. of the rings. It will be obvious that: the greater the load; the more tightly the rope will be pressed against the rings and that the gripping action. of the device will be consequently increased.

A suitable stirrup such as shown at Z) in Fig. 3 may be suspended from the lever E andtwo sets of rings and stirrups are provided. To climb up or down the rope the user will thrust each foot into a stirrup which is preferably provided with spring devices. to cause the stirrup to clamp the foot firmly. Upon lifting the foot the lever E will be raised turning the ring D upon its pivots'into parallelism. with the rings A and B in which position the gripping device will slide along the rope to any desired position. The weight of the body being transferred to the foot which has jiist been moved the operation is repeated with the other foot sliding the other gripper along until it contacts with the upper gripper. I

Instead of merely providing two grippers for thefeet, a more complete equipment vices.

such as shown in Fig. 3 may be provided which comprises three sets of gripping de To the lever c of the upper set a, are attached by means of a ring d, cables f, which may be provided with a spacing bar 6. The cables f are provided with hooks g which are adapted to be secured to the waist or other part of the personof theuser. In this manner an upper support is provided in addition to the support for the feet and the user can at any time disengage his feet from the stirrups and remain suspended simply by the upper gripper. This upper gripper is provided with a releasing device which consists of an additional ring is connected by a pair of links to the gripper a, and a jaw member m, connected to the outer end of the lever 0, the ring k and jaw am being connected by a cord or cable p, one end of which is anchored as at t, to the ring is and is then extended through the member m,and back to the ring 7a to form a plurality of loops, the other end of the cable being free and of sufficient length to extend within easy reach of the operator. The user wishing to release the gripper a will pull upon the cable 7), which is preferably provided with a hook adapted to be engaged with any convenient part of the users clothing, thus causing the lever c to be lifted and the gripper to be released.

It will be obvious that many variations of the guide rings could be resorted to, that the device could also be used for raising, lowering 0r suspending loads, and that it could be applied to any sort of a flexible, plain or smooth rope or metal cable.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters'Patentof the United States, is:

1. rope gripping device comprising a pair of end rings adapted to freely encircle a rope, means for rigidly holding said rings axially aligned in spaced parallel relation, a third ring mounted intermediate and spaced between the said end rings in axial alignment therewith, said mounting comprising a pivotal support extending transversely to the axis of said'rings and centrally-of said third ring and means to turn said third ring upon its transverse axis to cause a double fiexure of said rope between i said end rings, and a gripping engagement and extending laterally of said intermediate ring by means of which said ring may be turned about its pivotal axis out of alignment with said end rings whereby a double flexure of said rope between said end rings is produced and a secure gripping engagement is caused between the upper and lower edges of said intermediate ring and the rope.

3. The combination of a pair of rope gripping devices, as set forth in claim 2, arranged in superposed movable relation along the rope, and in which each of the laterally projecting arms of the intermediate rings is provided with a depending stirrup to receive the foot of the operator whereby the gripping'device's may be urged into clamping engagement with the rope or released and moved along the rope as desired.

4. The combination of a pair of rope gripping devices as set forth in claim-2, arranged in superimposed movable relation along the rope, and in which each of said laterally projecting arms of the intermediate rings isprovided with a depending stirrup to receive the foot of the operator whereby the gripping devices may be urged into clamping engagement with the rope or released and moved along the rope as desired, and in'which said stirrup is provided with spring-pressed means to engage and secure the operators foot within the stirrup.

5. A rope gripping device comprising a pair of end rings adapted to freely encircle a rope, a link secured to each side of said end rings to maintain said links axially aligned in spaced parallel relation, an inter mediate ring pivotally mounted between said links in axial alignment with said end rings upon an axis extending transversely turned aboutitspivotal axis out of alignment with said end rings whereby a double fiexure of said rope between said end rings is produced and a secure gripping engagement is caused between the upper and lower edges of said intermediate ring and the rope, means to actuate said arm to release said gripping engagement of said intermediate ring comprising, an additional ring, links connecting said ring to said gripping device, a cable having one end fixed with respect to said additional ring and its other end free, said cable being looped through said gripping device and additional ring to providea pulley arrangement by means of which-said gripping device may be released i by placing said cable under tension.

6. A rope climbing apparatus comprising a pair of rope gripping devices, each provided with means to receive the foot of an operator, and a third rope gripping device provided with means to be attached-to the body or clothing of the operator, each of said gripping devices comprising a pair of end rings adapted to freely encircle a rope, a link secured to each side of said end rings to maintain said links axially aligned in spaced parallel relation, an intermediate ring pivotally mounted between said links in axial alignment with said end rings upon an axis extending transversely of the axis of said rings and centrally of said intermediate ring, an arm secured to and extending laterally of said intermediate ring by means of which said ring may be turned about its pivotal axis out of alignment with said end rings whereby a double flexure of said rope between said end rings is produced and a secure gripping engagement is caused between the upper and lower edges of said ring and the rope, and said third gripping de- Vice provided with a cable connected with its laterally projecting arm, said cable arranged to provide a pulley whereby said third gripping device may be released by placing said cable under tension.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANTOINE JOSEPH MARIUS BARTHELEMY dit PAUL CANS. Witnesses:

FERNAND DUFoUR, CHARLES LiioN LOISEL. 

